From a favourite family portrait to a vase bursting with wildflowers, Prince Charles offers a rare look inside his private Scottish retreat at Birkhall in new BBC documentary

Prince Charles opened the doors to his Scottish retreat for new documentary

Birkhall, once the Queen Mother’s, is on the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire

Scene filmed inside one room reveals how Charles keeps family close in photos

The green-fingered royal also appears to have garden blooms on display

By

Stephanie Linning For Mailonline

Published:
11:16 GMT, 8 November 2018

| Updated:
12:50 GMT, 8 November 2018

Prince Charles offers royal fans a rare look inside his Scottish home in a new documentary.

The royal, 69, opened the doors to Birkhall, on the Queen’s Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire, for TV special Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, which airs tonight on BBC One.

Charles inherited the property from his beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother, upon her death in 2002 and now enjoys spending summers at the residence with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall.

Scottish retreat: Prince Charles, 69, opened the doors to his summer home at Birkhall, on Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire, for a new BBC documentary that airs tonight. Pictured: 1) A family portrait, believed to be from Prince Louis’ Christening in July; 2) a butterfly palm; 3) a blue and white ceramic planter; 4) a portrait, possibly of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall; 5) a vase of wildflowers, possibly from the gardens at Birkhall

Family first: The portrait behind Prince Charles appears to have been taken at Clarence House following Prince Louis’ Christening. Pictured, another image from the set featuring Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the infant Prince Louis

One scene from the documentary sees Charles interviewed in a reception room of the 18th century property, the sun-dappled trees of the garden visible through the half open window behind him.

To his left is an ornate wooden sideboard decorated with a vase of wildflowers in vibrant shades of purple, orange and green.

It is possible the blooms are taken from the grounds at Birkhall, a particular source of joy for the famously green-fingered prince who has described the garden as a ‘special place’ to him personally.

Royal florist Willow Crossley, of Oxfordshire, notes that while it is difficult to identify the individual flowers, they to appear to be seasonal.

Proud grandfather: Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall take a stroll in the arboretum he planted in name of his eldest grandson Prince George in the grounds of Birkhall

She also points out there is what appears to be a towering butterfly palm in a blue and white ceramic planter behind the prince, tucked in a corner beside the window.

Proud grandfather Charles, who has planted an arboretum in the name of his eldest grandson Prince George, keeps family close in the form of framed photographs on display in the room.

Behind the royal there appears to be a shot taken at Prince Louis’ Christening in July.

The composition of the image suggests it is part of a set taken by celebrity photographer Matt Holyoak in the morning room at Clarence House, Prince Charles’ London residence, following the family service in The Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace.

Green-fingered prince: Charles also invited cameras into the gardens of his home at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, pictured, as he discussed his role within the monarchy

The photo is not thought to be one that has been formally released to the public however Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and the infant Prince Louis are all thought to be present in it.

Elsewhere in the room Charles has a framed photograph of two figures, believed to be himself and Camilla, 70.

The couple hold especially fond memories of Birkhall as it is where they honeymooned following their 2005 wedding.